The three families of bacteria described in this chapter share several common characteristics despite the phylogenetic distance between the group that includes Bartonella and Brucella, from the Alphaproteobacteria, and the more distantly related Francisella in the Gammaproteobacteria class. All three genera are zoonotic bacteria with species capable of infecting both animals and humans and are fastidious with special growth requirements; many species among these three genera cause emerging infections in humans. The diversity of natural animal reservoirs for members of the genera Bartonella and Brucella are just now becoming fully defined and appreciated and are likely all around us. Brucella spp. and Francisella spp. are well-established as agents that warrant special attention and focus because of their potential for misuse and intentional release in acts of bioterrorism or biowarfare. This chapter briefly summarizes our knowledge of the taxonomy, epidemiology, and pathobiology of these zoonotic bacteria and describes the immunologic and molecular tools for the laboratory diagnosis of infections caused by these microbes.

Taxonomy of the major human pathogens in the families Bartonellaceae, Brucellaceae, and Francisellaceae. Additional Bartonella spp. and Brucella spp. not shown here have also been associated with human disease but are not listed due to space constraints. Members of the Bartonella and Brucella genera are Alphaproteobacteria, while members of the genus Francisella are Gammaproteobacteria.

10.1128/9781555818722/8722ch52fig1_thmb.gif

10.1128/9781555818722/8722ch52fig1.gif

FIGURE 1

Taxonomy of the major human pathogens in the families Bartonellaceae, Brucellaceae, and Francisellaceae. Additional Bartonella spp. and Brucella spp. not shown here have also been associated with human disease but are not listed due to space constraints. Members of the Bartonella and Brucella genera are Alphaproteobacteria, while members of the genus Francisella are Gammaproteobacteria.

References

/content/book/10.1128/9781555818722.ch52

1.WattamAR,FosterJT,ManeSP,Beckstrom-SternbergSM,Beckstrom-SternbergJM,DickermanAW,KeimP,PearsonT,ShuklaM,WardDV,WilliamsKP,SobralBW,TsolisRM,WhatmoreAM,O'CallaghanD.2014. Comparative phylogenomics and evolution of the brucellae: a path to virulence. J Bacteriol196:920–930.[CrossRef].[PubMed]

2.WhatmoreAM.2009. Current understanding of the genetic diversity of Brucella, an expanding genus of zoonotic pathogens. Infect Genet Evol9:1168–1184.[CrossRef].[PubMed]

28.DuncanAW,MaggiRG,BreitschwerdtEB.2007. A combined approach for the enhanced detection and isolation of Bartonella species in dog blood samples: pre-enrichment liquid culture followed by PCR and subculture onto agar plates. J Microbiol Methods69:273–281.[CrossRef].[PubMed]

36.DiazMH,BaiY,MalaniaL,WinchellJM,KosoyMY.2012. Development of a novel genus-specific real-time PCR assay for detection and differentiation of Bartonella species and genotypesJ Clin Microbiol50:1645–1649.[CrossRef].[PubMed]

48.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.2008. Public health consequences of a false-positive laboratory test result for Brucella—Florida, Georgia, and Michigan, 2005. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep57:603–605.[PubMed]

58.MaasKS,MendezM,ZavaletaM,ManriqueJ,FrancoMP,MulderM,BonifacioN,CastañedaML,ChacaltanaJ,YaguiE,GilmanRH,GuillenA,BlazesDL,EspinosaB,HallE,AbdoelTH,SmitsHL.2007. Evaluation of brucellosis by PCR and persistence after treatment in patients returning to the hospital for follow-up. Am J Trop Med Hyg76:698–702.[PubMed]

59.SatoT,FujitaH,OharaY,HommaM.1990. Microagglutination test for early and specific serodiagnosis of tularemia. J Clin Microbiol28:2372–2374.[PubMed]